7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
Corey Yuen's remake of Chang Cheh's Boxer From Shantung sees Taiwanese Japanese heart-throb Takeshi Kaneshiro as Ma Wing-jing, a worker from Shantung who rises to the top of the Shanghai triad ladder.
Starring: Takeshi Kaneshiro, Biao Yuen, Jessica Hester Hsuan, Wah Yuen, Valerie ChowForeign | 100% |
Action | 15% |
Drama | 5% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
Cantonese: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
English
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.0 |
The title of this 1997 film may make it seem like it could have been a precursor to Hero, the well remembered 2002 film starring Jet Li, but as might be expected with a term as generic as that specific titular word, even our database has both The Hero and The Hero listed in it, which may suggest other ripples in the moniker universe (either backward or forward, depending on production year). But kind of hilariously, this particular Hero is actually a remake itself, though not of a film that bears the (kinda sorta) same name, but rather of The Boxer from Shantung from 1972, which was one of the many Shaw Brothers offerings Arrow released last year with its spectacularly produced Shawscope Volume One. As I mentioned in our The Boxer from Shantung Blu-ray review, some fans of classic Golden Era films in general, and some Warner Brothers "gangster" epics in particular, may sense a certain kinship between some plot dynamics in both that film and (probably unavoidably) this film as well.
Hero is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of 88 Films Asia Collection, an imprint of 88 Films, with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. While the insert booklet doesn't contain any technical information, the back cover offers at least a brief generic "HD remaster from the original 35mm negatives" as basic information. This is generally a nice looking transfer from 88 Films, one that offers a nicely suffused palette that can be especially impressive with regard to jewel tones, and which looks natural throughout. Detail levels are also generally very good to excellent and close-ups in particular pop with some significant fine detail at times with regard to both facial features and things like textures on the fabrics of props and costumes. This can have a just slightly filtered look at times, though that said, there is definitely a grain field visible, and in some passing moments like screenshot 19, which is what I'm assuming is an optical zoom, it's more than apparent. There's also some rather minor but noticeable age related wear and tear on display.
Hero features DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono tracks in either English or Cantonese. I frankly didn't hear a whale of a lot of difference between the two as I toggled between them, and there was very little if any amplitude or general mix variation that my ears could make out. Dialogue in both versions is presented cleanly and clearly. The score by Lincoln Lo, Raymond Wong and William Hu sounds nicely full bodied, but I have to say it struck me as a bit anachronistic at times, with some sweeping orchestral cues for what I'm assuming was meant to be brief comedic vignettes featuring Ma Tai-Cheung. Optional English subtitles are available.
Shaw Brothers fanatics may frankly not even consider Hero to be "real" Shaw Brothers, but I personally feel there are at least echoes of some of the legendary Shaw Brothers productions in this piece. Andrew Graves is probably right that Hero simply can't emerge from the shadow of The Boxer from Shantung, but there are some inventively staged action sequences in this film that I think stand (and/or kick) on their own two feet quite convincingly. Technical merits are generally solid, and the commentary by Leeder and Venema is typically entertaining, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.
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